Chapter 9 – Hambli

The dwarf wife led the way back through her house to the roadway outside. A large clutch of dwarf men was gathered there.

The men were fresh from the mines. Their skin was marred with soot and their beards glittered with dust from gold and gems. Most of them were clutching miniature pickaxes and shovels which they brandished like weapons. Sigyn eyed the implements warily and would have faltered, but Loki placed his hand reassuringly on the small of her back and propelled her forward.

The expression of the dwarf men changed when Sigyn stepped into their midst. Before her arrival, their conversation had been an angry buzz. But the sight of the woman changed the tenor of their discussion. Although she didn't understand dwarvish, Sigyn required no translator for the throaty catcalls and purred compliments which replaced the shouts from a moment before.

The dwarf fascination with Asgardian women was well-known, even to Sigyn- but it was easier to stomach from a comfortable distance. Sigyn stayed close to Loki's side, but it didn't stop the dwarves from stroking her hair and dress and leaning forward to smell her like she was a succulent dish about to be put on the table. She had felt cleaner covered with Ettin blood than she did under their roaming paws.

At last, Sigyn and Loki reached the front of the group. Sigyn slipped behind the prince, using his body as a barrier between herself and the lustful dwarves. It took a few moments for Loki to regain their attention, but he was finally able to explain their plight.

Loki's plan seemed to be working. The dwarfs kept asking about their purpose and suggesting that they had something to hide, but Loki evaded their questions. It ended just as he had predicted. The dwarves decided to take the strangers to their chief and let Hambli decide what to do.

Sigyn kept close beside Loki as they threaded through narrow passageways and up winding stairs on their way to Hambli's palace. Occasionally, one of the dwarf men would dare to pluck at Sigyn's gown or stroke her hair, but Loki's glares and Sigyn's slaps held them mostly at bay.

Hambli's palace was truly a sight to behold. The first sign of their arrival was a great hall of stalactites and stalagmites that had fused into columns. The pillars were carved with intricate designs and studded with shiny gems. The hallway led to a huge domed throne room. In the center of the ceiling, a shaft ran all the way up to the surface. It was cleverly lined with mirrors so that the sunlight made it all the way to the bottom and it bounced off a mosaic of gems that were set in the ceiling.

The floor of the hall was paved in semi-precious stones. A pattern of opals and sapphires led all eyes to a great golden throne that was set directly under the shaft of light. The reflection of sunlight on the metal was too intense to look at for long. The chair itself was mammoth. Although narrower than Odin's throne, it was much higher. Even a frost giant would require a ladder to perch in its seat, which was higher than two tall men. It was upholstered with velvet cushions which only added to its height. The chair was so large, in fact, that it nearly swallowed its occupant. Sigyn had to look twice before she noticed the squat, swarthy little man that was perched in the middle of the pillows.

The dwarf- who could only be Hambli- extended a golden scepter and their escorts hurried forward to state their case. Hambli listened to them chatter in dwarvish for a while and then gestured for Loki and Sigyn to step forward.

Like the other male dwarves, Sigyn felt as if Hambli was undressing her with his gaze. Happily, however, she didn't hold his attention for long. His dark gaze shifted to Loki and he visibly jolted with recognition.

"Greetings, Loki Lie-Smith," he drawled with displeasure. "It is many years since you have graced my halls."

"Too many," Loki said politely, but he was answered with an incredulous snort.

"For you, perhaps," Hambli answered. His beady eyes slipped sideways to Sigyn again and he gave her another leer. "Although, this time it seems that you brought some sugar to blunt the sour taste of your company. Who is this glittering ruby?"

Loki answered through a clenched jaw. "Sigyn Freyasdotter."

"Freyasdotter?"

Sigyn's skin began to burn in shame as she watched the dwarf's face light up when he placed her mother's name. Sigyn had always hoped that the rumors about how Freya obtained Brísingamen, her famous necklace, were untrue, but Hambli's lecherous grin did not leave her much hope. Whatever remained was extinguished when he spoke again.

"And is your mother enjoying her necklace, my little nugget? Perhaps you came in search of one of your own? As I'm sure your mother told you, our prices are very reasonable and our customers are…supremely satisfied."

Sigyn was grateful when Loki interrupted.

"We did not seek your halls, Chief Hambli. We are merely lost. We wish to return to my father. Please honor your vows to his hall and show us the way."

"Lost, Liesmith?" Hambli said in a disbelieving tone. "Perhaps you merely wished to pass through my realm undetected."

"Why should we wish to do that?"

"Because you are transporting something valuable?"

Sigyn was impressed with Loki's acting skills. His eyes bulged and he swallowed hard as if he were truly shocked by the accusation. She was tempted to laugh, but wisely contained herself.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Loki said, defiantly.

Hambli's already ruddy complexion darkened. "Do not attempt to deceive me!" he bellowed. "My men have already informed me that you travel from Muspelheim! They claim that you found a dragon's egg. I know this already. Do not try my patience with your tricks."

"Well," Loki responded with a sneer. "If you take all my words for lies, I do not know why you waste your time speaking with me at all. Your men are mistaken. Princess Sigyn and I were lost on our way from Vanaheim and all I carry in my pack is a simple stone plucked from one of your streams."

Sigyn was shocked by Loki's declaration of the truth- even more so when Hambli refused to believe it.

The little dwarf chief made a growling sound and lurched up out of his seat. For a moment, Sigyn thought that he would topple over the edge and go crashing to the ground but he kept his balance on the edge of the seat and glared down at Loki.

"Do you think that I am such a fool as to believe a story like that?"

"Whether you are a fool or not I cannot yet say," Loki said calmly. "But even if what you claim is true, I do not see how it is your concern. You are under treaty with my father and I am permitted safe passage through your halls, carrying whatever I wish."

"That is true," Hambli admitted, regaining a bit of his composure. "But it is also true that it may be worth your while to sell the stone to me. The halls of Odin are already made of gold and his warriors are fierce and many. What need does he have of a dragon? I could offer you a handsome price."

"Now you want to speak of business," Loki said wearily. "I lack the patience. Whichever of our stories is true, it is many nights since Princess Sigyn and I have slept in soft beds or tasted meat. We are weary and long for home. Show us the way to Asgard and bring your business to my father later…"

"Now, don't be so hasty!" Hambli said quickly. "There is no reason to make the decision now. It is late and can see that you are tired. Partake of the hospitality of my hall for this evening. Tomorrow we will feast. Perhaps then you will feel more inclined to bargain."

"Perhaps," Loki said, refusing to commit.

Hambli was appeased by the concession. He clapped his fat little hands and a servant appeared to whisk Loki and Sigyn away.

The hall that they walked down was less elaborate than the throne room, but still quite beautiful. From the hush of the corridor and the scale of the furnishings, Sigyn guessed that it was a residential wing. Her suspicion was confirmed when the servant stopped in front of one of the doorways and gestured for Sigyn to go inside.

She was about to obey when she realized that they meant to send Loki somewhere else. She felt a flutter of panic when she remembered the grasping fingers of the dwarves in the village and the lustful glimmer in Hambli's eyes. She didn't want to be alone. Instinctively, she clutched at Loki's cloak.

Loki stopped and turned toward Sigyn. He shot her a questioning look but, mercifully, did not force her to explain.

"Princess Sigyn and I will stay together," he said firmly.

Sigyn felt a wave of relief. She could only imagine what the dwarves would whisper behind their backs but, considering the trouble she was already in, a few ugly rumors were a small price to pay for her safety.

Loki and Sigyn stepped inside. Sigyn's heart swelled with delight when she looked around the chamber. Although the furnishings were in the dwarvish fashion- heavy, dark and intricately carved - they were scaled for a man's height and built for comfort. At one wall there was a huge feather bed piled high with silken quilts and pillows. There were plump couches set in front of a crackling fire. There were plates of fruit and cheese and pitchers of wine. Best of all, through a doorway at the rear, Sigyn spied a sunken tub filled with steamy water.

"This will do nicely," Loki said, dismissing the servant. "Please bring dinner directly. After that, we will not wish to be disturbed until morning."

Sigyn assumed that the servant obeyed. She didn't actually pay attention, but made a beeline for the bath.

"Feel free to go first," Loki called out sarcastically. Sigyn ignored him and closed the wooden door behind her. She slipped out of the blood-stained gown and heavy cloak and eased her weary body into the inviting water.

It felt like heaven. Bottles of perfumed soaps and scented oils were set beside the tub. She helped herself to generous amounts, scrubbing her hair and skin, and then sank down into the water to soak. She must have fallen asleep. When returned to her senses a little while later, the water was cool and a fluffy towel was sitting in the place where she had discarded her dress.

Sigyn dried her body, wrung out her hair and then looked around for her clothes. She didn't find them. However, a pretty silk nightgown was hanging on the door, along with a matching robe and a pair of dainty slippers. She put them on, reveling in the feel of the soft material against her skin. Then she went back into the room.

Sigyn's stomach made a funny little flip when she spied the Prince. Loki was sprawled across the bed, sound asleep. It appeared as if he had collapsed from his exhaustion. He was still clutching his travel bag and hadn't even bothered to take off his boots. Although his features looked peaceful, she didn't think he could be comfortable as he was. Feeling a surge of tenderness toward her companion, Sigyn went to the side of the bed and carefully tugged the shoes off of Loki's feet. Feeling emboldened, she unbuckled his scabbard and set his sword and knives on the table beside the bed. She reached for the satchel and then gasped when a cold hand clamped around her wrist.

"What are you doing?" Loki said, his voice firm, but heavy with sleep.

"Just putting this away so that you can sleep," Sigyn answered, prying his fingers loose one by one.

"Thought you were one of the dwarves…" Loki muttered without opening her eyes.

"Now that I find insulting!" Sigyn said lightly, but assumed that he wasn't listening. His hand had slumped back to the mattress and his breathing had already regained the deep, even cadence of sleep. Sigyn put the bag and the "dragon's egg" under the bed. Then she smiled and brushed a lock of hair out of Loki's face. Without thinking, she leaned forward and dabbed a kiss against his brow.

Sigyn took a few pillows and a quilt from the bed and turned toward the sofas but Loki's hand reached out and stopped her again.

"Where you going?" he mumbled, his voice was still garbled and drowsy.

"To the couch," Sigyn whispered back. "To sleep."

"Bed's big enough for two."

Sigyn flushed. "I can't sleep next to you, Loki!" she protested.

"You slept next to me in the cave…same difference. Softer."

Sigyn didn't have a response for that. Intuitively, she knew that there was a vast difference between curling up next to the prince on a cold cave floor and lying together on a civilized mattress, but she couldn't articulate why that was. So, when Loki moved to the side and patted the empty spot beside him, she didn't have any reason not to comply.

Sigyn crawled onto the mattress and settled into the indentation where Loki had been laying moments before. It was still warm from his body and had the same scent of pine needles as his cape. Sigyn turned to the side. Loki was sound asleep again, but so close that she could feel his breath puff against her skin with every exhale. She took a moment to study his face, admiring the long black lashes that laid against his cheek and the strong line of his jaw. Popular opinion in Asgard held that Thor was the more handsome of the two brothers. Sigyn had once agreed, but now she felt otherwise. She wondered if her fickle opinion was owing to closer inspection or merely that her feelings for the prince had changed? Before Loki came to her in search of the Azimuth, he had been just a name and a haze memory of nursery days. Now he was so much more…

What is Loki to me? The question rose up in Sigyn's mind, but she didn't dare to answer. Whatever she thought she had glimpsed in Loki during their quiet times together, she couldn't completely forget the rest of what Asgard said about its prince. He was cunning and selfish and petulant. Sigyn knew, in her heart, that she was nothing more to him than a means to an end. To hope otherwise was simply courting heartbreak. Sigyn had learned long ago that daydreams never led anywhere else.

But that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy the moment… A rebellious voice inside her refused to be stilled. Already weakened by temptation, Sigyn decided to succumb. She snuggled just a little bit closer to Loki before she closed her eyes and let her imagination roam free. Sigyn fell asleep with a mind full of wishes. S

he dreamed of palaces...and sons…and a snake dripping venom into a bowl.

When Sigyn awoke, Loki was gone.

A pair of dwarf servants were bustling around the room. One of them was carrying a tray of breakfast, while the other brandished a brush. Both of them fussed at her in dwarfish. She had no idea what they were saying, and so they had to prod her out of bed. They herded her to a table where the first dwarf fed her porridge while the other attacked her hair.

Sigyn wished she knew how to make them stop. The first dwarf was physically holding the spoon and seemed intent on feeding her until she burst. She didn't have any choice but to obey. Sigyn chewed and swallowed as fast as she could while the second dwarf twisted and braided her hair. When the tray was cleared away, a third girl entered bearing a pale green dress.

"Oh! But where are the clothes that I was wearing?" Sigyn asked, frowning in dismay at the gown. It was exquisite- fashioned of diaphanous silk, embellished with silver thread and tiny gems- but too immodest for her taste. Sigyn's cheeks stained crimson when she looked in the mirror and saw the way that the top of her bosom strained against the low square neck of the bodice. "Really- I wish you would just bring my things back!" she begged, but the servants completely ignored her. They bustled out of the room just as the door to the bathroom opened and Loki stepped into the room.

The prince had finally taken his turn in the bath. His hair was damp and his skin was still slightly flushed from the steam, but he otherwise appeared impeccable. The dwarves had provided a fresh tunic and trousers. Loki's tabard, and cloak were cleaned and the golden torc around his neck was gleaming.

He caught sight of Sigyn and smiled.

"No one would question that you're a princess if they saw you now," he said.

The compliment caused the tips of Sigyn's ears to turn pink. Luckily, Loki didn't notice. He picked up the satchel, retrieved the rounded stone, and then offered Sigyn his arm. "Are you ready to see this through to the end?"

Loki remembered the route that they had taken the night before and led them to the throne room without any difficulty. The space had been mostly empty the day before, but now it was furnished as a feasting hall. Hambli had come down from his towering throne to sit at a high table. He called out in greeting to Loki and gestured for the prince to take the place at his side.

There was only available seat at the chief's table. Sigyn frowned in confusion. She looked for another empty place- and that was when she realized that there weren't any other women in the hall. Five dozen pairs of dwarf eyes were tracking her every move.

Hambli noted her expression.

"We saved a special place for you, my dear!" he called out boisterously. Using his silver scepter, he pointed to a table at the center of the room. Sigyn hadn't noticed it before. It was directly in front of the main dias and all of the other tables curved around it. It had only a single seat. "So that we can all enjoy the scenery, my dear!" Hambli called out. He and the other dwarfs met the remark with lusty laughter.

Humiliated, but ever biddable, Sigyn slinked to her place. She braced herself for further insults. Blessedly, however, Hambli had provided for more entertainment than merely her. At a clap of the chieftain's hands, servants flooded the hall with platters of meat and casks of ale and acrobat began to perform.

Because she had been force-fed breakfast not long before, Sigyn wasn't hungry, but she sipped a glass of wine as she watched the show. After the acrobats came trained dogs, then dancers (although the dwarfs had such stubby little legs that there didn't seem to be many steps) and a fool who had some less-than-complimentary things to say about Odin. On and on the pageant continued as the food and ale continued to flow. For her part, Sigyn declined a second goblet of wine. Glancing toward the dias, she could see that Loki avoided the alcohol as well. Hambli and his men, however, showed no such restraint. Two of them were passed out drunk by the time that Hambli called the festivities at an end.

"I trust, Liesmith, that you have truly enjoyed the hospitality of my hall," Hambli said. "Now, I hope, you are in a better humor to talk of trade."

"Truly I would be if there was a trade to be had," Loki answered, "but I have told you before that I carry with me nothing but a common stone…and, if that stone were truly what you say- surely there is nothing among your treasures valuable enough to offer in exchange."

"Nothing among my treasures worth a mere dragon's egg!" Hambli bristled with indignation. "You have no idea what you are talking about! Tales are sung of the wonders of my treasures."

"Songs are sung of many things," Loki responded. "Some true, others not. You have often spoken of your horde, but I have never seen so much as one gold coin."

"One gold coin!" Hambli's voice was quivering with rage. "There is more than that, boy! Come!" Without a further word, Hambli hopped down off of his chair and bustled down the hall.

Sigyn, Loki and a clutch of courtiers followed. Hambli grabbed a torch off of the wall and led them down a winding staircase and stopped in front of an enormous iron door. He placed his hand against its center and it glowed blue for a moment before swinging open to reveal a truly wondrous display of wealth.

Sigyn had never seen its like. There were piles of golden coins twice the height of a man, bushels of rubies, diamonds, emeralds and sapphires jumbled together in heaps, jeweled goblets, golden harps, and fantastic swords were all stacked inside the room. Along the side walls, alcoves held treasures more precious still. In one of these, Sigyn spied the Azimuth.

Her eyes went immediately to Loki, but he looked away. He didn't betray any hint of excitement or any sign that he had seen it at all. In fact, he sounded rather bored when he pronounced, "I see nothing of uncommon value- though I suppose that I am used to my father's storehouse. What about you, Sigyn? Is there anything here you want?"

Something in Loki's tone told Sigyn that she should play along. Following his example, she cast a disinterested gaze around the room. She took a few steps deeper into the vault and then picked up some bracelets and rings. She slid them onto her wrists and fingers and then turned around. "I suppose these are allright," she said with a shrug. She grabbed a handful of sparkling necklaces and put them on as well.

"Nothing extraordinary," Loki pronounced. He walked toward her. "Perhaps you need something to complete the look?" He walked to the alcove and picked up the Azimuth. He was about to place it on Sigyn's head when Hambli intervened.

"The crown is not for sale!" He said sharply.

Loki shrugged. "Neither is my stone, so I suppose it doesn't matter."

"Now, wait!" Hambli said. "I don't mean that I won't consider a bargain…but the crown is very precious indeed...I might part with it for the stone, but you would also owe me two cartfuls of gold when you return to Asgard."

Loki snorted. "As special as all that? Doubtful. I might consider trading stone for the crown, Sigyn's jewels, provisions to return to Asgard and two cartfuls of gold from you!"

"What?" Hambli huffed. "A dragon's egg is not worth half so much!"

"No," Loki agreed. "It is worth at least double…so I suppose that I'll be keeping my stone…"

"Don't be hasty!" Hambli squawked, his greed betraying his desperation to have the object. "I agree that a dragon's egg is valuable...but also more like an investment than the treasures in this room…there's nothing for sniffing out treasure like a dragon. It could pay for itself seven fold in time…if it hatches at all…and then there's the matter of training. You have to admit- there's a good possibility that it will never amount to anything at all."

"I'm prepared to take that chance," Loki said and continued walking toward the door.

At the mention of chance, Hambli's face lit up with fresh hope. "Well, if you're in the mood for gambling…perhaps we could settle things along that line? Would you care to make a wager with me?"

Loki stopped walking and lifted an eyebrow to indicate that he was listening.

"A game of Fates!" Hambli proposed, "The first man to thirty-six!"

"If I win?" Loki asked.

"Then you may have what you asked for and take the egg to your father as well…If you lose, I will demonstrate that there are no hard feelings by sending you on your way to Asgard with meat and ale."

"Empty handed."

Hambli bowed his head in admission of that fact but wisely refrained from saying more. Loki pondered the offer for a while before he finally acquiesced.

Hambli called for a table and chairs to be carried into the vault. Servants scrambled to obey. They returned with the items that he demanded, along with more ale and a box of casting sticks.

Sigyn had not been raised around men, so she was only a vague knowledge of the rules of Fates. She knew that it used four sticks made of ivory or bone. One side of each stick was inscribed with a rune- Sowulo, Tiewaz, Gebo, or Hagalaz- and the other was polished smooth. Players cast the sticks by throwing them to the ground. The sticks that landed rune side up were worth one point each, with the exception of Hagalaz, which subtracted one point. Face down runes were not counted unless all four landed that way at once. In that case, five points were scored. It was a popular method of gambling and considered purely a game of chance.

Sigyn assumed that Loki would cheat.

Loki made the first cast. Sowulo and Tiewaz turned up for two points. Hambli responded with a cast of three. Back and forth it went. Sigyn supposed that Loki was waiting until the end to make his move. It would be foolish to be too obvious with his tricks. Nevertheles, she held her breath when Loki and Hambli each tied at 35.

Loki collected the sticks in his hand, shook them, and then flung them to the floor.

Sigyn gasped.

There were three blanks….and Hagalaz!

"Thirty-four!" Hambli howled with glee.

Sigyn looked at Loki's face. For just a moment, his careful façade was dropped. All of the color leached out of his face and he stared at the runes in shock.

"Surprised, Loki Liesmith?" Hambli asked as his portly body continued to vibrate with laughter. "Perhaps you were expecting a different cast? I should have mentioned that these stones are warded against your sorcery. They will work the opposite of whatever outcome directed by a spell." He gathered the stones up again and tossed them himself. "See!" he called out merrily when the sticks showed all blanks. "Forty! I win!"

Loki remained silent, but Hambli continued to taunt him. "I am no fool, Loki Liesmith- you cannot trick me as easily as you have my brothers…now, if you would kindly provide your forfeit?"

With trembling fingers, Loki handed over the stone. Sigyn couldn't tell if he was still acting or if he had forgotten that the dragon's egg wasn't real. He was clearly reeling from the failure of the plan.

"You have kept your side of the bargain," Hambli announced. He clutched the stone to his chest greedily and stroked it as though it were already a live animal. "I shall honor mine as well. Grawli here will set you back on the path between worlds at once and afford you the provisions that I promised as well. Go now."

Without further discussion, the dwarf chief began herding his guests toward the door. Sigyn caught Loki's eye, looking for a hint about what he was planning to do next, but his expression was unreadable. She realized, to her horror, that there was no follow-up plan.

One of Hambli's guards had returned the Azimuth to its shelf. It glittered on the wall behind them. They had come so close! Sigyn refused to give up just yet.

"Wait!" she exclaimed, just before the door swung closed.

The party came to an abrupt halt. Everyone looked toward Sigyn expectantly.

"What is it, little diamond?" Hambli asked in a condescending tone. "Are you missing my pretty things already? You don't have to return to Asgard, you know." The suggestive grin that he flashed hinted broadly at just how Sigyn might continue to surround herself with riches.

She shuddered before she continued to speak. "I propose one more wager," she said boldly. "You say that the casting sticks were enchanted against Loki's magic, but it may be that they were charmed to aid you as well."

"It is not injustice for a cheater to be cheated!" Hambli said. "Besides- If what you say is true then bested him in a match of wits! He could have guarded himself against my tactics as well!"

"But the wager was for Fates," Sigyn countered calmly. "If you want a battle of wits, you ought to do it outright. I propose that you pose a riddle. Loki's magic won't help him there. You will write down the answer first, so that there can be no claim of trickery…If we win, the stone will be returned- along with the rest of what you wagered."

Hambli laughed. "Ah, sweet nugget- you should not bother your pretty head with thinking. You cannot see the obvious flaw with you proposal? I've already won! Why should I risk my riches when the Liesmith has nothing left to wager?"

"But he does!" Sigyn said.

"What?" both Hambli and Loki demanded at once.

Sigyn took a shuddering breath. And looked at her feet before she answered:

"Me."

A/N- Yeesh! A super long chapter! It was fun to write (as usual, your awesome reviews encouraged me to get off my duff and type!). I feel like I FINALLY had the balance of adventure and romance that I am aiming for). Anyhow, VERY long, but I didn't feel like breaking it in two…If you are interested, I took the game of Fates from this webpage (take the words "dot" and "slash" out and replace them with real dots and slashes):

As always, please feel free to send your suggestions or mentions of what you would like to see (particularly re: the romance/adventure balance).